Worship on Independence Day Weekend

By Pastor David Tinker

It is time now to plan to participate in worship on this long, busy, holiday weekend.

We will observe our normal weekend worship schedule on the first weekend of July.

Saturday, July 2, at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 3, at 10:00 a.m.

Our partner congregation, Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church, will also offer their regular 8:00 a.m. Sunday worship service on July 3.  The church meets at 6915 Waldeck Church Ln, Ledbetter, TX 78946.

I encourage you to think ahead about this complicated weekend.  Consider how you can schedule your activities for the holiday while still participating in worship among God’s people.

The big holiday is on Monday this year, so there is less immediate conflict with the worship schedule.  Even so, time flows differently for many on such a weekend, so plan now to be at worship at one of the three opportunities offered this weekend.  As the time flows differently, strive to be accepting of attending worship at a different time than normal, with the goal of hearing the Word of God, receiving Holy Communion, and delighting in fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Worship of our God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is central to our life together. It is a foundational part of how we fulfill the greatest commandment of Jesus to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Weekly worship participation is also one of the Six Marks of Discipleship about which I have taught so frequently.  Worship is an investment in your faith life and in your relationships with your fellow Christians.  No matter what date it is, weekly worship is a good and central part of life as a follower of Jesus.

This Independence Day Holiday is not the only weekend when you might have multiple commitments on the calendar. As you work through plans for weekend trips, summer vacations, etc., prayerfully look into how you can get together with fellow Christians for worship.  Some of those weekends will be workable to be at worship in Carmine.  Some weekends will lead you to other communities across the state, nation or world.  In our family we have made the point to find a place of worship where we are going to be.  It is good to be at your home church, and it is also good to experience something different from time to time.  Even in touristy places like Hawaii there are churches where you can keep your weekly discipline of worship.  If you need help planning where to worship, I am glad to help you.  If you are comfortable using the internet, there in plenty of information available to help you.

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The Declaration of Independence

Another opportunity you have this weekend is to actually read or listen to the reading of our nation’s founding document.

Here is a link to read the document at the National Archives of the United States of America.

Here is a link to listen to a reading of the Declaration of Independence by then Senator John F. Kennedy.  It is presented as a video  on YouTube.

Give Blood at MLLC on May 22

As part of our love for our neighbors, we are again hosting a blood drive at MLLC.  See the flier for information about signing up for a donation time.

The Blood Drive will take place in the Fellowship Hall. This is the older, white building on the north side of our church campus.  There is an entrance on the west/street side of the building, just next to the playground.

Sunday, May 22, 2022

9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Martin Luther Lutheran Church  Fellowship Hall

211 Luther Ln, Carmine, TX 78932

To set up an appointment, contact Kelly Hardin at 832-212-2799 or khardin@giveblood.org

Saturday, April 16, 2022, is the date of the Great Vigil of Easter, Holy Saturday, at MLLC.  For many in the church around the world, this is the centerpiece of their year as followers of Jesus.

Click this link to view a blog post from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) regarding this service and its connections with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Click this link to view a blog post by our own Jennifer Clark Tinker which tells about her experience and joy related to attending the Great Vigil of Easter each year.

An Introduction to the Vigil of Easter

Like the children of Israel who watched and waited through the night for the Lord of the Exodus, we too come together this night to watch and wait for the Lord of the Resurrection. We come, as Christians have come since the first century, to keep vigil and to prepare ourselves for the arrival of the Bridegroom who is chief host and guest at the Resurrection feast to come.

First, we must break the darkness of the night.   Like the virgins in the parable, we must light our vigil lights. Our light will be a very special light, for it is the light of Christ which burns atop the Paschal candle and which dispels the darkness — of night, of sin, of death. Our light will be a constant reminder of the Resurrection victory during the coming season, at every baptism and at every funeral. But for now, it will burn in vigil as we await the Bridegroom.

When we have settled into our pews for the watch, we hear the storytellers among us sharing the stories of our faith — the stories of God’s salvation history and the covenants which he made with our people. These are our “family” stories. We listen. We sing. We watch. And we wait for the feast to come.

After hearing our stories, we make our last minute preparations to meet our Lord. All must be right for the feast. On some years those among us who have not yet joined us are brought into membership with us this night, making all who are here part of the Church family, known as the Bride of Christ.  Each year, so that the whole family is prepared, each of us reaffirms our faith through the Apostles Creed. As we interact with the water and the Lord, we hear and we feel that grace which was given to us through our baptism.

We are nearly ready. The time is close.  We prepare the room and set the table for the Feast of Victory, the First Holy Communion of this greatest festival day of all. And then at last He comes! The Resurrection victory is won! The Bridegroom has come through the darkness to claim his Bride, the Church, to be his own. This is the feast of victory!  In the end flowers and banners must adorn the space, for our time this evening and tomorrow will be a feast to remember.

Our Celebrations of the Resurrection of Jesus

The Great Vigil of Easter – 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 16 – see the introduction above. Shared with Waldeck Lutheran Church.

Easter Sunrise – 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 17, at the Carmine Cemetery. Bring a lawn or folding chair for seating.  Shared with Waldeck Lutheran Church.

Easter Festival – Sunday April 17.  Opportunities at both MLLC and Waldeck

MLLC Schedule:

9:30-10:00 a.m. – Easter reception in the Parlor, near the sanctuary entrance and church offices.

10:00 a.m. – Festival Worship

~11:15 a.m. – Easter Egg Hunt

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Waldeck Schedule:

8:00 a.m. – Festival Worship

~9:00 a.m. – Pot-luck Easter Breakfast – bring an item to share

9:15/9:30 a.m. – After Breakfast – Easter Egg Hunt